An 8-year-old boy sustained life-threatening injuries during an early morning accident on interstate 80 near Lovelock.
The Nevada Highway Patrol responded to the single-vehicle rollover accident on Interstate 80, about 25 miles from Lovelock, at 7:03 a.m. Monday.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a 1999 Ford Expedition traveling eastbound drifted into the center dirt median. The driver, 34-year-old Matthew Hazen, over-corrected causing the SUV to overturn.
Hazen; his wife, Deanna, 33; and their 4-year-old daughter, Amanda, were wearing seat belts and received only minor injuries. However, 8-year-old Layne Hazen was sleeping on the back seat and was ejected from the vehicle during the accident. He was taken by Care Flight Helicopter to Washoe Medical Center.
"During this holiday season, it is such a tragedy to see people injured or killed in automobile accidents. As parents, we often think it's OK to let our children stretch out and sleep while driving on long trips, but we never know if and when we're going to be involved in an accident," said Trooper Chuck Allen. "We also need to know that being tired or sleepy is a form of impairment, similar to being under the influence of alcohol or drugs."
The family was from Sacramento and was traveling to Idaho.
In a separate accident, a 59-year-old Sparks woman was taken to Washoe Medical Center by Care Flight at 5:59 p.m. Sunday with severe head injuries following a two-car accident on Interstate 80 near Derby Dam.
Preliminary investigation revealed the a 1989 Chevrolet truck driven by Lyle M. Dyer, 49, of Fallon, was eastbound when the vehicle veered into the center median and entered the westbound lanes of traffic. The truck struck a 2005 Subaru wagon driven by Sherrellyn L. Wood, 59, of Sparks. The truck came to a rest in the far-left westbound lane while the Subaru went off the road, down an embankment, and became stuck in barbed-wire fence, according to the police .
Dyer was take by ambulance to Washoe Medical Center with a serious head injury. Alcohol is believed to be a factor.